I.THERE IS NOT ANY COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PROPOSED
MEDIATORS OF MEN TO THE ONE MEDIATOR RECOGNIZED BY THE HEAVENLY
FATHER.

1 Timothy 2:5,“For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

John 14:6,“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me.”

Hebrews 4:15-16,“For we have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Discussion:

I.THERE IS NOT ANY COMPARISON BETWEEN THE GODS CREATED BY
FINITE MEN AND THE ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.

A.No, there is certainly not any comparison between the God
that created man and the gods that were created by men.

Genesis
1:26-28,“And God said, Let us make man in our image,
after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of
the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and
over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth
upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the
image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Genesis 2:7,“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a
living soul.”

1.But, in comparison of the one true and living God that
created man, let us now consider the gods made by finite men.

(Read Isaiah
44:10-17). It is pathetic to think of some men who will turn
from their creator to an inanimate object and worship it. Yet,
Isaiah revealed that there were those who cut down a tree for
the purpose of not only cooking their food and warming their
bodies, but also to make them a god.

2.The Apostle Paul pointed out that those who did so were
without excuse because the physical universe provided adequate
evidence of the one true God.

Romans
1:20-25,“For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so
that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God,
they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was
darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted
beast, and creeping things, Wherefore God also gave them up to
uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor
their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of
God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than
the creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

3.The Apostle Paul commended the Christians at Thessalonica
because they had “turned to God from idols to serve the
living and true God;” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

4.The seven basic truths of Christianity include the fact
that there is one God.

Ephesians
4:3-6,“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as
ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith,
one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all, and in you all.”

5.The love of God is seen in the sacrifice of His Son for
our sins.

Romans 5:8,“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

II.THERE IS NOT ANY COMPARISON BETWEEN THE BOOKS WRITTEN BY
UNINSPIRED MEN AND THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, THE BIBLE.

A.Many books are considered obsolete as soon as they come
off the press. This includes books on scientific theories.

1.However, in contrast to such books, the principles of the
Bible are just as applicable today as when first given by
inspiration in the first Century A. D.

2.The Bible’s contents are given by inspiration and are the
complete revelation of the Lord.

2 Peter 1:3,“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things
that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of
him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

2 Timothy
3:16-17,“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

3. The inspired Word of God
is His power to save lost humanity.

Romans 1:16,“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the
Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Hebrews
4:12,“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and
sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is
a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

3.The doctrines and creeds of men are vain and those who
adhere unto them will be eternally lost.

Matthew
15:9,“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men.”

Matthew
7:21-23,“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And
in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.”

III.THERE IS NOT ANY COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CHURCHES
ESTABLISHED BY MEN TO THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED BY THE LORD.

A.The church of Christ was within God’s eternal scheme of
redemption before the foundation of the world. Whereas the
churches of men are in violation to the will of the Heavenly
Father.

Ephesians
3:8-11,“Unto me, who am less than the least of all
saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the
Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men
see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all
things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the
principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by
the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

1.Jesus Christ shed His blood and died that His church,
which is the redeemed, would become a reality.

Acts 20:28,“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Ephesians
5:25,“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

2.Obedient believers are added to the church, which is made
up of the saved.

Acts 2:47,“…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be
saved.”

B.Denominationalism is contrary to the spirit and authority
of the New Testament.

1.The Son of God prayed unto the Heavenly Father that those
who believed in Him would be one as He and the Father are one.

John
17:20-21,“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them
also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all
may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they
also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou
hast sent me.”

2.The Apostle Paul condemned religious division.

1 Cor. 1:10,“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no
divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in
the same mind and in the same judgment.”

3. Our Lord warns
concerning those who would plant the doctrines and creeds of
men.

Matthew 15:13-14,
“…Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shallbe rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the
blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into
the ditch.”

IV.THERE IS NOT ANY LIFESTYLE THAT COMPARES TO THE STANDARD
SET FOR A CHRISTIAN AS REVEALED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

A.Those who reject the life of a Christian have “short
changed” themselves by accepting a lower standard of life which
is detrimental to both their physical health and their spiritual
wellbeing.

1. We are not to allow the world to
set our standard of life.

Romans
12:1-2,“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

2.Our standard of conduct is the fruit of the Spirit, not
the works of the flesh.

Galatians
5:19-25,“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which
are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like: for the which I tell you before, as
I have also told you in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no
law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with
the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also
walk in the Spirit.”

3.Why, we are to: “Abstain from all appearance of evil”
(1 Thessalonians 5:22).

4.Those who place their trust in earthly riches above the
spiritual are being foolish.

Luke
12:16-21,“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The
ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he
thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have
no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I
do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there
will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my
soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years: take
thine ease, eat drink and be merry. But God said unto him. Thou
fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee then whose
shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that
layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

1 John
2:15-17,“Love not the world, neither the things that are
in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father
is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not
of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth
for ever.”

V.THERE IS NOT ANY PLACE THAT COMPARES TO HEAVEN, WHICH IS
THE ETERNAL HOME OF THE FAITHFUL CHILD OF GOD.

A.After obeying the gospel of Christ, we are to set our
affections on things above.

Colossians
3:1-4,“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those
things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand
of God. Set your affection on things above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things
above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your
life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life,
shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Matthew
6:19-21,“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also.”

B.The blessings of Heaven will be far beyond ability to
comprehend in this present life.

1 John 3:2,“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall
appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

Revelation
21:4,“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed away.”

(Revelation
21:10-23 is a vivid description of that eternal home.)

John 14:1-3,“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe
also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
may be also.”

C.If by the grace of God, we enter into Heaven, it will be
home forever.

1 Peter 1:4,“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that
fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”

D.There will not be anything there that will defile us.

Revelation
21:27,“And there shall in no wise enter into it any
thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or
maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of
life.”

Conclusion:

I.IN THIS LIFE, THERE IS NOT ANY GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR
YOU AND ME THAN THAT OF OBEYING THE GOSPEL.

Matthew
16:26,“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in
exchange for his soul?

2
Corinthians 6:2,“…behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Proverb
27:1,“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest
not what a day may bring forth.”